News   /   More

Yemen’s Houthis say won't cave in to threats

Supporters of the Houthi movement take part in a rally in the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a on February 11, 2015 to mark the fourth anniversary of the country’s revolution which toppled long-time dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh. (AFP photo)

Yemen's Shia Houthi movement says it will not surrender to "threats" amid calls by its neighboring countries on the United Nations to use force over the country's security situation.

"The Yemeni people won't cede power in the face of threats," Yemen's state news agency Saba quoted Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam as saying on Sunday.

Abdulsalam also stressed that Yemenis were "engaged in a process of self-determination free of any (foreign) tutelage".

The remarks came one day after foreign ministers of the six [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council member states urged the UN Security Council to consider military intervention in the Arabian Peninsula country under the UN’s Chapter 7.

In the past few days, at least nine countries have closed their embassies and evacuated all their diplomatic staff in Yemen over security concerns in the crisis-hit country.

Earlier this month, the Houthi movement dissolved the parliament, following weeks of clashes with government forces.

The Ansarullah revolutionaries announced a constitutional declaration on the Transitional National Council, which is expected to replace the country’s parliament. They say the Yemeni government has been incapable of properly running the affairs of the country and providing security.

The Houthi leader recently warned that the interests of foreign powers in Yemen will be in danger, if the political vacuum in the country prolongs.

Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the constitutional decree is necessary in order to save Yemen from collapse.

Earlier this week, tens of thousands of Houthi fighters and their supporters held rallies to condemn what they described as corruption and foreign interference in their country’s internal affairs. In addition, they accused the west of trying to destabilize Yemen.

In September 2014, Ansarullah fighters gained control of Sana’a, following a four-day battle with army forces loyal to General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the half-brother of the country’s former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Before gaining control of the capital, Ansarullah had set a deadline for the political parties to put aside differences and fill the power vacuum, but the deadline was missed without any change in the political scene of the country.

The movement played a key role in the popular revolution that forced Saleh to step down after 33 years of rule.

SSM/KA/HMV


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku